DARREN DRAGO | DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR - OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS COACH
Darren Drago enters his first season as Defensive Coordinator at Texas Wesleyan University, bringing more than two decades of coaching experience across the collegiate, high school, and preparatory levels.
Before arriving at Texas Wesleyan, Drago served as the Defensive Coordinator and Director of Strength & Conditioning at Cistercian Preparatory Academy in Irving, Texas, for two seasons (2022–23). Prior to that, he was the Outside Linebackers Coach and Director of Strength & Conditioning at Johnson High School in Buda, Texas, for the 2022 season.
In 2021, Drago was the Defensive Line Coach and Co-Defensive Coordinator at Southern University, following a stint as the Outside Linebackers Coach and Interior Defensive Line Coach at UTSA. His previous collegiate stops include serving as Defensive Coordinator at the University of Arkansas–Monticello, Linebackers Coach at Henderson State University, and secondary coach/special teams coordinator at both Louisiana College and Evangel Christian Academy.
While at Henderson State, Drago mentored several standout linebackers who went on to earn honors such as Preseason All-American, All-Super Region 3, and All-Great American Conference First and Second Team selections.
Drago’s resume also includes two stints at Northwestern State University, where he coached multiple positions, coordinated recruiting, managed team travel, and served as liaison to the school’s academic departments. His other notable experience includes working at LSU as a defensive assistant and outside linebackers coach during the Tigers’ 2008 Chick-fil-A Bowl victory, and serving as recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach (2006) and defensive coordinator (2007) at Stephen F. Austin.
A four-year letterman at fullback for Northwestern State, Drago helped the Demons reach back-to-back NCAA Division I-AA semifinal appearances in 1997 and 1998, earning Southland Conference All-Academic honors in 1997. He holds a bachelor’s degree in science and a master’s degree in sports administration from Northwestern State, and is certified in strength & conditioning (2015). Drago is also an active member of the American Football Coaches Association.
